The Bulldogs might have missed Sidney's 290-pound body creating space in the post, but the shorter, quicker lineup had its advantages. Without the gifted but overweight Sidney slowing down the Bulldogs, Stansbury used more of an up-tempo style on both offense and defense that seemed to catch South Alabama by surprise.

"It is easy to see the major potential that Renardo Sidney brings to the court," ESPN analyst Jimmy Dykes told The Dispatch. "A big body, agile, good feet and great hands. Things that are hard to find in a guy his size. His numbers last year in conference play for a first year guy, tell you he is capable of being one of the premier players in the SEC. How does he respond in year number two is the question.

"If he takes good solid steps in the areas of conditioning, consistent effort on both ends of the floor, and shows to be coachable, a great teammate, and respectful of the game, Renardo Sidney moves to a level of one of the top big guys in all of college basketball, and by doing so, takes Mississippi State to a top-25 type ballclub."

Without Sidney on Saturday, center Arnett Moultrie scored a career-high 28 points and grabbed 13 rebounds against South Alabama. Moultrie, a transfer from Texas-El Paso, is now averaging 16.3 points and 12.3 rebounds over three games.